Edging constructions



June 8, 1965 J. DE RIDDER 3,187,855

EDGING CONSTRUCTIONS Filed April 20, 1961 [6b l3b FIG-8 INVENTOR. ERNST J. DERIDDER HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,187,355 EDGING CONSTRUCTIONS Ernst J. De Ridder, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 104,288 19 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) This invention relates to improved edging constructions for panels and the like and to improved methods for making such edging constructions or the like.

It is well known that when fabricating structures, such as roofs and the like, from a plurality of thin metal sheets or the like, some means must be provided for interconnecting together the adjacent edges of such sheets or the like.

However, it has been found that when relatively thin gauge sheets are utilized to fabricate such structures, conventional fastening means cannot be readily utilized to interconnect adjacent edges of such sheets because the conventional fastening meansreadily tear through such thin sheets when any forces or strains are imposed on such interconnected sheets.

According to the teachings of this invention, however, an improved edging is provided which can be simply and effectively interconnected to an edge of such a sheet without subsequently tearing therethrough and can be readily interconnected to another such edging secured to another sheet to interconnect the two sheets together.

In particular, the edging of this invention comprises an extrusion or the like having a body portion provided with a first flange and a second flange joined to the same end of the body portion of the edging. The first-flange of the edging comprises a looped flange having a first section thereof extending away from the body portion of the edging and having a second section thereof extending in a reverse direction to cooperate with the first section and define a bight portion therebetween. The first section of the looped flange has a longitudinal channel provided therein and adapted to receive a head on the second section thereof when the second section is forced toward'the first section. The second flange of the edging is adapted to be forced toward the second section of the first flange after the second section of the first flange has been forced adjacent the first section thereof, the second flange cooperating with the second section of the first flange to define a second bight portion therebetween.

When it is desired to interconnect the edging of this invention to a sheet or the like to form an edging construction of this invention, the edge of the sheet is reversely turned relative to the main body of the sheet whereby the reversely turned edge of the sheet is inserted in the bight portion of the edging defined between the first and second sections of the looped flange thereof. Thereafter, the second section of the looped flange is forced toward the first section thereof to compact the reversely turned edge of the sheet therebetween. As the second section of the looped flange is forced toward the first section thereof, the bead of the second section forces a portion of the reversely turned edge of the sheet into the channel of the first section whereby the sheet is effectively interlocked to the edging.

Subsequently, the second flange of the edging is forced toward the second section of the first or looped flange to compact a portion of the sheet therebetween to complete the edging construction and to further hold the edging to the sheet.

Because the edging extends throughout the length of the sheet and a relatively large area of surface contact is effected between the interlocking portions of the edging and the sheet, the edging will not tear through the sheet as in prior known fastening constructions even though i the body portions of the edgings in a manner hereinafter described.

Therefore, it can be seen that not only does this in-.

vention provide improved edging constructions but also this invention provides improved methods for making such edging constructions or the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved edging construction having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved edging for such an edging construction or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for making such an edging construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent upon a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the edging construction of this invention. V

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective View illustrating one method of making the edging of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an end view illustrating one of the initial steps in the method of securing an edging of this invention to a sheet or the like.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 and illustrates another step in the method of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 and illustrates the final step of securing the edging of this invention to a sheet or the like.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view illustrating the method of securing together the. adjacent edgings of FIGURE 1 and is taken on line 6-6 thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention wherein adjacent edgings of this invention are adapted to be nested one within the other.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 and i1 lustrates another embodiment of this invention wherein adjacentedgings are adapted to be mechanically interlocked together.

While the edgings and methods of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted to interconnect together sheet material or the like, it is to be understood that the'edgings and methods of this invention can be utilized to interconnect together other types of members, as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved edging con struction of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a pair of metal sheets or panels 11 and 12 respectively having adjacent edges thereof interconnected to a pair of edgings 13 of this invention suitably interconnected together by a plurality of bolts 14 or the like to effectively interconnect the sheets 11 and 12. together.

The edgings 13 are so constructed and arranged and are interconnected to the sheets 11 and 12 in such a manner that a large area of frictional contact is eifected between the edgings 13 and the sheets 11 and 12 throughout the entire length of the interconnected portions of and have a cross-sectional thickness of approximately 0.03 of an inch and have an overall size of approximately 8 feet by 20 feet to form industrial roofing and the like. However, this invention is not to be limited to any f particular types of sheets or material interconnected together by the edgings 13 of this invent-ion. I The edgings 13 may be formed in any suitable manner and from any suitable material, and, in the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the edgings 13 are formed by extruding aluminum-containing metallic material, such as aluminum alloy 6063-T6, in a conventional extruding apparatus 15, as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, he edging 13 of this invention has a body portion 16 provided with a pair of flanges 17 and 18 respectively extending outwardly from one end 19 thereof.

The flange 17 comprises a looped flange having a first section 20 extending away from the body portion 16 of the edging 13 and having a second section 21 reversely turned relative to the first section 211 and being adapted to be folded toward the section 20 in a mannerhereinafter describe-d.

The first sect-ion 2d of the looped flange 17 has a channel 22 formed at the juncture thereof with the body portion 16 of the edging 13. Similarly, the first section 20 of the looped flange 17 has a channel 23 formed at thejuncture thereof with the second section 21'of the flange 17. t

A head 24 is formed on theouter free end of the second section 21 of the looped flange 17 and is adapted to be received in the channel 22 of the first section 20 thereof when the section 21 is folded toward the section 211 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4, the arcuate portion of the flange 17 defined by the channel 23 thereof facilitating such folding operation without forming a sharp crease in the looped flange 17 which would be subject to early failure.

The second flange 18of the edging 13 is angularly disposed relative to the first section 20 of the looped flange 17 and readily permits the section 21 of the looped flange 17 to be moved adjacent the first section 20 thereof without interfering with such folding operation as long as the flange 18 is in the position illustrated in FIGURES 24. However, the flange 18 is adapted to be moved adjacent the second section 21 of the looped flange 17 after the section 21 has been moved adjacent the first section2fl thereof in the manner illustratedin FIGURE for a purpose hereinafter described. i

The sections 2% and 21 of the looped flange 17 define a. bight portion 25 therebetween, and the second section 21 of the looped flange 17 cooperates with the second flange 18 of the edging 13 to define a bight portion 26 therebetween when the flanges 17 and 18 are'disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 5.

While the edging 13 can-have any desired size and thickness, one embodiment thereof which has been found satisfactory for securing together panels 11 and 12 having the afore-ment-ioned dimensions, is approximately 0.05 of an inch in thickness throughout the entire edging 13 and has an overall width of approximately 1.750

inches. The first section of the looped flange 17. is ap- 1 proximately 0.625 of an inch wide between the centers of the channels 22 and 23 thereof and the second section 21 thereof is approximately 0.675 of an inch wide. The overall Width of the flange 18 of the edging 13 is approximately 0.125 of an inch.

After the edgings 13 have been made by the extruding 1 apparatus 15, the same can be cut to the desired lengths to accommodate the panels or sheets 11 and 12.

However, it is to be understood that the edgings 13 can be made by any other desired method, such as by casting, if desired. i a

The edgings 13 are inter-connected to the sheets 11 and 12 in substantially the same manner. Accordingly, only the attachment of the edging 13 to the sheet 12 is illustrated in FIGURES 3-5 and hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the sheet 12 is provided with a reversely turned edge 27 in any suitable manner which is inserted in the bight portion 25 of the edging 13 to hook the edging 13 and the sheet 12 together. Preferably, the head 24 of the flange 17 abuts the inside surface of the looped portion of the sheet 12 as illustrated a in FIGURE 3. I

Thereafter, the section 21 of the looped .flange 17 is forced toward the section 20 thereof in any suitable manner to compact the reversely turned edge 27 of the sheet 12 between the sections 20 and 21 of the looped flange 17.

For example, the looped, flange 17 of the edging 13 can be folded in the manner illustratedin FIGURE 4 by pressing a suitable roller 28 or the like against the outer surbeing folded together by the roller 28, the head 24 of the section 21 thereof forces a portion 29 of the reversely turned edge 27 of the sheet 12 into intimate contact with the concave surface of, the channel 22 formed in the flange section 20 thereof in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. 1n thismanner, the sheet 12 is frictionally held between the folded sections 21 and 21 of the looped flange 17 of the edging 13 whereby the flange sections 20 and 21 provide a large area of surface contact with the sheet 12 throughout the length thereof. i

- After the looped flange 17 has been folded by the roller 28 in the above manner, the second flange 18 of the edging 13 is folded against a portion 30 of the sheet 12 to compact that portion 30 between the flange 18 and the second section 21 of the looped flange 17, as illustrated in FIG- URE 5. I

For example, the flange 18 may be folded against the sheet 12 by a roller 31, as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

After the flange 18 of the edging 13 has been folded in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5, the edging '13 has now been fully secured to the sheet12 whereby the sheet 12 cannot be removed from the edging13 even if relatively large forces are imposedthereon. The bead 24 of the looped flange 17, cooperating with the channel 22 thereof to force an arcuate portion 29 of the panel 12 therebetween, provides an interference fit between the edging 13 and the sheet 12- andrprevents the panel 12 fro'mbeing disconnected from the edging 13 when the edging 13 is held stationary and a force is imposed on the panel 12 tending to move the edging construction to the right. The flange 18 prevents unfolding of the flange 17 should an angular force be applied to the edging construction'illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Since a large area of surface contact is effected between the edging 13 and the panel 12, the edging 13 will not readily tear through the relatively thinpanel- 12 even when relatively large forces are imposed thereon.

Therefore, it can be seen that the edgings 13 can be secured to the panels 11 and 12 in a relatively simple and effective manner according to the teachings of this invention'and with a minimum of time and effort.

. After the edgings 13 have been secured to the adjacent edges of the panels 11 and 12 in the above manner, the panels 11 and 12 can be secured together by overlapping thebody portions 16 of the edgings 1'3 and bolting the same together by bolts 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, the bolts 14 passing through suitable aligned apertures formed in the body portions 16 of the edgings 13.

Because the edgings 13 are formed from a relatively strong metallic material, the bolts 14 will not tear through the edgings 13 in the same manner if the adjacent edges of the panels 11 and 12 were directly bolted together, as in the prior art.

Therefore, it can be seen that any desired number of relatively thin sheets or panels can have adjacent edges thereof secured together by the methods and edgings of this invention whereby relatively strong joints are provided between the panels so that the interconnected panels can be readily utilized for any intended purpose, such as for roofing and the like.

While the edgings 13 are illustrated as being interconnected together by bolts 14, it is to be understood that the 6 a ond section having a bead at the'free end thereof, said first section having a channel disposed adjacent said bead, a second inner flange connected to said body portion and extending adjacent said second flange section to define a second bight portion therewith, and a member having a portion thereof received in said second bight portion of said edging and having a reversely turned edge received 7 in said first bight portion of said edging, said reversely edgings 13 could be secured together by other types of fastening means, welding, or the like.

Further, a more weather-tight connection may be effected between the body portions 16 of the edgings 13 by permitting the same to readily nest one within the other.

7 For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, the body portions 16a of the edgings 13a each has channel-defining means 32 adapted to nest within the channel-defining means 32 of the other edging 13a.

In this manner, after the edgings 13a have the body portions 16a thereof nested together, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, the body portions 16a can be further secured together by bolting, welding, or the like.

If desired, the body portions 16 of the extrusions 13 may be provided with any interlocking structure whereby the body portions 16 of adjacent edgings 13 can be mechanically interlocked together without utilizing auxiliary fastening means. i

For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, the body portions 16b ofthe edgings 13b each has a channel 33 formed at the outer free end thereof adapted to receive a beaded end 34 of the other edging 13bin a press-fit relation whereby the edgings 13b can be mechanically interlocked together without utilizing auxiliary fastening means.

Therefore, it can be seen that the body portions 16 I of the edgings 13 can be provided with any desired configuration to facilitate the interconnection of the body portions 16 of adjacent extrusions 13, as desired.

While the edgings 13 are illustrated in the drawings and described above as being utilized to interconnect together adjacent sheets or the like in such a manner that the interconnected sheets are substantially disposed in a common plane, it is to be understood that the edgings 13 could be modified in any suitable manner to permit adjacent panels or sheets to be interconnected together at any desired angles relative to each other. For example, the section of the looped flange 17 need not be originally disposed parallel to the body portion 16 of the edging 13, as illustrated in the drawings, but may be disposed angularly relative thereto whereby the interconnected panels can be disposed at any desired angles relative to each other.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention not only provides improved edgings and improved edging constructions, but also improved methods for making such edging constructions or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of'the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an edging having a body portion, a first inner flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion, said flange sections defining a first bight portion therebetween, said secturned edge having a portion thereof received in said channel of said first flange.

2. In combination, an edging having a body portion, an inner flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion, said flange sections defining a bight portion therebetween, said second section having a bead at the free end thereof, said first section having a channel disposed adjacent said bead, and a member having a reversely turned edge received in said bight portion of said edging, said reversely turned edge having a portion thereof received in said channel of said flange.

3. In combination, an edging having a body portion, an inner flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion, said flange sections defining a bight portion therebetween, said first flange section having a channel provided therein and interconnected to said bight portion, and a member having a reversely turned edge received in said bight portion of said edging, said reversely turned edge having a portion thereof received in said channel of said flange.

4. In combination, an edging having a body portion, a first inner flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion, said flange sections defining a first bight portion therebetween, a second inner flange connected to said body portion and extending adjacent said second flange section to define a second bight portion therewith, and a member having a portion thereof received in said second bight portion of said edging and having a reversely turned edge received in said first bight portion of said edging.

5. In combination, an edging having a body port-ion, an inner flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion, said flange sections defining a bight portion therebetween, and a member having a reversely turned edge received in said bight portion of said edging.

6. In combination, a pair of edgings each having a body portion connected to the body portion of the other edging, each edging having a flange connected to the body portion thereof, each flange having a first section extending away from said body portion thereof and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion thereof, each pair of first and second flange sections defining a bight portion therebetween, and a pair of members respectively having reversely turned edges received in said bight portions of said edgings whereby said members are interconnected together by said edgings.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said body portions of said edgings are interconnected together by fastening means.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said body portions of said edgings has means nested in said means of the other body portion.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said body portions of said edgings has means mechanically interlocked with said means of the other body portion.

. 7 g 10. In combination, a pair of edgings each having a body portion connected'to the body portion of the other edging, each edging having a first flange connected to the body portion thereof, each first flange having a first section extending away from said body portion thereof and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said bodyportion thereof, each pair of first. and second sections defining a first bight portion therebetweemeach edging having a second flange connected thereto adjacent the first flange thereof and being disposed adjacent said second section of said first flange thereof to define a second bight portion between said second flange and said second section, and a pair of members respectively received in said second bight portions of said edgings and having reversely turned edges respectively received in said first bight portions of said edgings whereby said members are interconnected together by said edgings.

11. In combination, a pair of edgings each having a body portion connected to -the body portion of the other edging, each edging having a first flange connectedto the body portion thereof, each first flange having a first section extending away from said body portion thereof and a second section looped adjacent said first section and extending toward said body portion thereof, each pair of said first flange, said second flange and said second flange section converging toward each other as they extend away from said first flange section;

14. An'edging as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first section of said first flange has a channel adjacent the juncture of said first flange with said body portion.

v15. An edging as set forth in claim 13 'wherein said first section of said first flange has a channel adjacent the juncture of said first section with said second section of said first flange. 16. An edging as set forth in claim 13 wherein said body portion has means for nesting in a body portion of another edging.

17. An edging as set forth in claim 13 wherein said body portion has means for interlocking said edging to a body portion of another edging.

18. An edging comprising a body portion and a flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section reversely turned relative to said first section, said first section having a channel provided'therein, said secfirst and second sections defining a first bight portion therebetween, each first section having a channel provided therein and each s'econd'section having a bead received in the channel of its respective first section, each edging have a second flange connected thereto adjacent the first.

fiange thereof and being disposed adjacent'said second section of said first flange thereof'to'define a second bight portion between said second flange; and said second section, and a pair of members respectively received in said second bight portions of said edgings and having reversely turned edges respectively received in said'first bight por-f tions of said edgings whereby said; members are interconnected together by said edgings, each edge of said mem bers having a portion thereof disposed in said channelof its respective edging. w

12. A combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said members comprise sheet material having the major por-v v tions thereof disposed in a common plane. 7 13. An edging comprising a body portion, a first flange connected to said body portion and having a a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section reversely turned relative to said first section, and

a second flange connected to said body portion adjacent o'ndsection having a bead at the free end thereof to be received in said channel of said first section when said second section is moved toward said first section.

- '19. An edging comprising a body portion, a first flange connected to said body portion and having a first section extending away from said body portion and a second section reversely turned relative to said first section, said first section having a channel provided therein, said second section having a bead at the free end thereof to be received'in said channel of said first section when said second section is moved toward said first section, and a sejcondflange connected to 'said body portion adjacent saidfirst flange, said second flange being movable against theionter surface of said second section of said first flange when said second section is disposed adjacent said first section of said first flangef References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES'PA'TEN T S' 7 "2,446,323

8/48 Davis 214 l 2,46 7,637 4/49 Strohm 50-214 2,568,469 9/51 Sunderhauf 50-537 2,910,01s 10/59 Rothfuchset a1. 50-537 RICHARD w. COOKE, 111., Primary Examiner.

CORNELIUS D. ANGELLJACOB L. NACKENOFF,

Examiners. 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN EDGING HAVING A BODY PORTION, A FIRST INNER FLANGE CONNECTED TO SAID BODY PORTION AND HAVING A FIRST SECTION EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID BODY PORTION AND A SECOND SECTION LOOPED ADJACENT SAID FIRST SECTION AND EXTENDING TOWARD SAID BODY PORTION, SAID FLANGE SECTIONS DEFINING A FIRST BIGHT PORTION THEREBETWEEN, SAID SECOND SECTION HAVING A BEAD AT THE FREE END THEREOF, SAID FIRST SECTION HAVING CHANNEL DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID BEAD, A SECOND INNER FLANGE CONNECTED TO SAID BODY PORTION AND EXTENDING ADJACENT SAID SECOND FLANGE SECTION TO DEFINE A SECOND BIGHT PORTION THEREWITH, AND A MEMBER HAVING A PORTION THEREOF RECEIVED IN SAID SECOND BIGHT PORTION OF SAID EDGING AND HAVING A REVERSELY TURNED EDGE RECEIVED ING SAID FIRST BIGHT PORTION OF SAID EDGING, SAID REVERSELY TURNED EDGE HAVING A PORTION THEREOF RECEIVED IN SAID CHANNEL OF SAID FIRST FLANGE. 